UMass men’s lacrosse needs win and help to reach CAA tournament

While the University of Massachusetts men’s lacrosse team doesn’t control its own fate, the Minutemen will be rooting for the favorites in the other games that affect their chances of reaching next week’s four-team Colonial Athletic Association tournament.

None of the other games will matter if UMass (6-7, 1-4 CAA) doesn’t beat Delaware (5-9, 1-4) tonight at 7 at Garber Field.

If the Minutemen win, they’ll closely follow two games Saturday. They need Towson (7-7, 3-2) to beat Saint Joseph’s (5-10, 1-4) at 1 p.m. and first-place Penn State (10-3, 5-0) to win at Hofstra (7-6, 2-3) at 7 p.m.

Delaware, which could still get into the CAA tournament themselves with a win, are led by senior Nick Diachenko, who has 33 goals (third best in the CAA) and four assists.

The game will also be senior night for the Minutemen, who will honor Brett Tobin, Ryan Hollenbaugh, Kyle Smith, Will Manny, Jake Smith, K.R. Jurgelevich and Bobby Tyler prior to the game.

Coach Angela McMahon earned her third straight A-10 Coach of the Year after leading the Minutewomen to their third straight perfect season in conference play.

UMass midfielder Tanner Guarino, defender Kelsey McGovern and Ferris were named to the all-conference first team, while attack Sam Rush and defender Kelsey Sheridan were named to the second team.

Freshman midfielder Nicole Troost was selected as an all-rookie performer, while McGovern and midfielder Melissa Carelli were named to the all-academic team.

UMass, the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic 10 tournament, will face No. 4 George Washington today at 1 p.m. at McGuirk Stadium. The winner will face the winner between No. 2 Temple and No. 3 Duquesne for the championship at 1 p.m. Sunday at UMass.

ELSEWHERE — UMass baseball begins a three-game series with Saint Joseph’s today at Lorden Field (Saturday’s game is at 1 p.m. Sunday at noon).

The softball team is at St. Joe’s Friday (3 p.m.) and Saturday 1 p.m. and at Temple Sunday for a noon doubleheader.